Designation: B93/B93M – 09

Standard Specification for

Magnesium Alloys in Ingot Form for Sand Castings,
Permanent Mold Castings, and Die Castings1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B93/B93M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
Note—Table 1 was corrected editorially and the year date changed on Dec. 7, 2009.

1. Scope B951 Practice for Codification of Unalloyed Magnesium

1.1 This specification covers magnesium alloys in ingot and Magnesium-Alloys, Cast and Wrought
form for remelting for the manufacture of sand castings, E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
permanent mold castings, investment castings, and die cast- Determine Conformance with Specifications
ings. E35 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Magnesium
and Magnesium Alloys3
NOTE 1—Supplementary information pertaining to the alloys covered E88 Practice for Sampling Nonferrous Metals and Alloys in
by this specification when used in the form of castings is given in
Cast Form for Determination of Chemical Composition
Specifications B80, B94, B199 and B403.
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units Unified Numbering System (UNS)
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system 3. Ordering Information
shall be used independently of the other. 3.1 Orders for ingot to this specification shall include the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the following information:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1.1 Quantity in pounds (kilograms)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.2 Alloy (Section 4 and Table 1 or Table 2), and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.1.3 Form: as agreed upon between the purchaser and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. seller. Some forms in commercial use are:
Approximate
2. Referenced Documents Form
Approximate Size Length by Width
Weight,
by Height, in. (mm)
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on date lb (kg)
Five-segment 23 by 23⁄4 by 13⁄4 (583 by 70 by 44) 5 (2.3)
of order acceptance form a part of this specification to the Four-segment 28 by 41⁄2 by 4 (711 by 114 by 102) 20 (9.1)
extent referenced herein: Self-Palletizing 261⁄2 by 65⁄8 by 25⁄8 (672 by 168 by 67) 25 (11.3)
2.2 ASTM Standards:2 3.1.4 Inspection required at the manufacturer’s works (see
B80 Specification for Magnesium-Alloy Sand Castings 8.1).
B94 Specification for Magnesium-Alloy Die Castings 3.1.5 For inch-pound orders specify B93; for metric orders
B199 Specification for Magnesium-Alloy Permanent Mold specify B93M. Do not mix units.
Castings
B403 Specification for Magnesium-Alloy Investment Cast- 4. Chemical Composition
ings 4.1 The ingots shall conform to the chemical composition
limits prescribed in Table 1 for sand cast alloys and permanent
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B07 on Light mold-cast alloys and in Table 2 for die-cast alloys. Conform-
Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B07.04 on ance shall be determined by the manufacturer by analyzing
Magnesium Alloy Cast and Wrought Products. samples taken at the time the ingots are poured or samples
Current edition approved Dec. 7, 2009. Published February 2010. Originally
approved in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as B93/B93M – 07. DOI: taken from the ingots. If the manufacturer has determined the
10.1520/B0093_B0093M-09.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
the ASTM website. on www.astm.org.

Copyright (C) ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbour Dr., PO box C700 West Conshohocken, PA USA

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Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved);

TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements for Alloy Ingot for Remelt to Sand, Permanent Mold and Investment Castings—Composition %
Others Total
AlloyA Mag- Alumi- Copper, Gadol- Iron, Lithium, Manga- Neody- Nickel, Rare Silicon, Zir-
UNS Silver Yttrium Zinc each, Others,
ASTM nesium num max inium max max nese mium max Earths max conium
maxB maxB
AM100A M10101 remainder 9.4–10.6 0.08 ... ... ... 0.13–0.35 ... 0.010 ... 0.20 ... ... 0.2 max ... ... 0.30
AZ63A M11631 remainder 5.5–6.5 0.20 ... ... ... 0.15–0.35 ... 0.010 ... 0.20 ... ... 2.7–3.3 ... ... 0.30
AZ81A M11811 remainder 7.2–8.0 0.08 ... ... ... 0.15–0.35 ... 0.010 ... 0.20 ... ... 0.5–0.9 ... ... 0.30
AZ91C M11915 remainder 8.3–9.2 0.08 ... ... ... 0.15–0.35 ... 0.010 ... 0.20 ... ... 0.45–0.9 ... ... 0.30
AZ91E M11918 remainder 8.3–9.2 0.015 ... 0.005 ... 0.17–0.50 ... 0.0010 ... 0.20 ... ... 0.45–0.9 ... 0.01 0.30
AZ92A M11921 remainder 8.5–9.5 0.20 ... ... ... 0.13–0.35 ... 0.010 ... 0.20 ... ... 1.7–2.3 ... ... 0.30
EQ21A M18330 remainder ... 0.05–0.10 ... ... ... ... ... 0.01 1.5–3.0C 0.01 1.3–1.7 ... ... 0.3–1.0 ... 0.30
EV31AD M12311 remainder ... 0.01 1.0–1.7 0.010 ... ... 2.6–3.1 0.0020 0.4E ... 0.05 max ... 0.20–0.50 0.3–1.0 0.01 ...
EZ33A M12331 remainder ... 0.03 ... ... ... ... ... 0.010 2.6–3.9F 0.01 ... ... 2.0–3.0 0.3–1.0 ... 0.30
K1A M18011 remainder ... 0.03 ... ... ... ... ... 0.010 ... 0.01 ... ... ... 0.3–1.0 ... 0.30
QE22A M18221 remainder ... 0.03 ... ... ... 0.15 max ... 0.010 1.9–2.4C 0.01 2.0–3.0 ... 0.2 max 0.3–1.0 ... 0.30
WE43A M18431 remainder ... 0.03 ... .... 0.18 0.15 max 2.0–2.5 0.005 1.9†G 0.01 ... 3.7–4.3 0.20 max 0.3–1.0 ... 0.30
WE43B M18433 remainder ... 0.01 ... ... 0.18 0.03 max 2.0–2.5 0.004 1.9†G ... ...H 3.7–4.3 ...H 0.3–1.0 0.01 ...
WE54A M18410 remainder ... 0.03 ... ... 0.20 0.15 max 1.5–2.0 0.005 2.0†G 0.01 ... 4.75–5.5 0.20 max 0.3–1.0 ... 0.30
ZC63A M16331 remainder ... 2.4–3.00 ... ... ... 0.25–0.75 ... 0.001 ... 0.20 ... ... 5.5–6.5 ... ... 0.30
ZE41A M16411 remainder ... 0.03 ... ... ... 0.15 max ... 0.010 1.0–1.75F 0.01 ... ... 3.7–4.8 0.3–1.0 ... 0.30
ZK51A M16511 remainder ... 0.03 ... ... ... ... ... 0.010 ... 0.01 ... ... 3.8–5.3 0.3–1.0 ... 0.30
ZK61A M16611 remainder ... 0.03 ... ... ... ... ... 0.010 ... 0.01 ... ... 5.7–6.3 0.3–1.0 ... 0.30
A
These alloy designations were established in accordance with Practice B951. UNS designations were established in accordance with Practice E527.
B
Includes listed elements for which no specific limit is shown.
C
Rare earth elements are in the form of Didymium, not less than 70 % Neodymium balance substantially Praseodymium.
D
Alloy EV31A is a patented composition, suitable for elevated temperature applications. Interested parties are invited to submit information regarding the identification of alternatives to these compositions to ASTM
International. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend. ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights

B93/B93M – 09
asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this specification. Users of this specification are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights,
are entirely their own responsibility.
2

E
Other Rare Earths may also be present to a total maximum of 0.4 %. These Rare Earths shall principally be Cerium, Lanthanum, and Praseodymium.
F
Total Rare Earths (TRE) are principally a mixture of Cerium, Lanthanum, Neodymium, and Praseodymium. The Cerium content should not be less than 45% of TRE.
G
Other Rare Earths shall be principally heavy rare earths, such as, Gadolinium, Dysprosium, Erbium, and Ytterbium. Other Rare Earths are derived from the Yttrium, typically 80 %, and 20 % heavy rare earths.
H
Zinc + Silver shall be 0.15 % max.
†Editorially corrected.
 B93/B93M – 09
TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements for Alloys Used for Die CastingsA
Alloy Composition, %
Other
Other
Metallic
Designa- Alumi- Copper, Iron, Manga- Nickel, Rare Impuri-
UNS Magnesium Beryllium Silicon Strontium Zinc impuri-
tionB num max max nese max Earth ties,
ties, max
max
eachC
AS41A M10411remainder 3.7–4.8 ... 0.04 ... 0.22–0.48 0.01 ... 0.60–1.4 ... 0.10 max ... 0.30
AS41B M10413remainder 3.7–4.8 0.0005- 0.015 0.0035 0.35–0.6 0.001 ... 0.60–1.4 ... 0.10 max 0.01 ...
0.0015
AM50A M10501remainder 4.5–5.3 0.0005- 0.008 0.004 0.28–0.50 0.001 ... 0.08 max ... 0.20 max 0.01 ...
0.0015
AM60A M10601remainder 5.6–6.4 ... 0.25 ... 0.15–0.50 0.01 ... 0.20 max ... 0.20 max ... 0.30
AM60B M10603remainder 5.6–6.4 0.0005- 0.008 0.004 0.26–0.50 0.001 ... 0.08 max ... 0.20 max 0.01 ...
0.0015
AZ91A M11911 remainder 8.5–9.5 ... 0.08 ... 0.15–0.40 0.01 ... 0.20 max ... 0.45–0.9 ... 0.30
AZ91B M11913remainder 8.5–9.5 ... 0.25 ... 0.15–0.40 0.01 ... 0.20 max ... 0.45–0.9 ... 0.30
AZ91D M11917remainder 8.5–9.5 0.0005- 0.025 0.004 0.17–0.40 0.001 ... 0.08 max ... 0.45–0.9 0.01 ...
0.0015
AJ52AD M17521remainder 4.6–5.5 0.0005- 0.008 0.004 0.26–0.5 0.001 ... 0.08 max 1.8–2.3 0.20 max 0.01 ...
0.0015
AJ62AD M17621remainder 5.6–6.6 0.0005- 0.008 0.004 0.26–0.5 0.001 ... 0.08 2.1–2.8 0.20 max 0.01 ...
0.0015
AS21A M10211remainder 1.9–2.5 0.0005- 0.008 0.004 0.2–0.6 0.001 ... 0.7–1.2 ... 0.20 max 0.01 ...
0.0015
D
AS21B M10213remainder 1.9–2.5 0.0005- 0.008 0.0035 0.05–0.15 0.001 0.06–0.25 0.7–1.2 ... 0.25 max 0.01 ...
0.0015
A
The following applies to all specified limits in this table; for purposes of acceptance and rejection, an observed value or a calculated value obtained from analysis should
be rounded off to the nearest unit in the last right-hand place of figures used in expressing the specified limit in accordance with the rounding-off procedure prescribed
in Practice E29.
B
ASTM alloy designations were established in accordance with Practice B951. UNS Numbers were established in accordance with Practice E527.
C
Includes listed elements for which no specific limit is shown.
D
Alloys AJ52A, AJ62A, and AS21B are patented compositions for elevated temperature applications. Interested parties are invited to submit information regarding the
identification of alternatives to these compositions to ASTM International. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical
committee, which you may attend. ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this
specification. Users of this specification are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are
entirely their own responsibility.

chemical composition of the material during manufacture, he
shall not be required to sample and analyze the ingots.
4.2 The alloys shall conform to the chemical composition
requirements prescribed in Table 1 and Table 2 (Note 2 and
Note 3).
NOTE 2—Analysis shall regularly be made only for the elements
specifically mentioned in the tables. If, however, the presence of other
elements is suspected or indicated in the course of routine analysis, further
analysis shall be made to determine that the total of these other elements
is not in excess of the limits specified in the last column of the table.
NOTE 3—The following applies to all specified limits in the tables: For
purposes of acceptance and rejection, an observed value or a calculated
value obtained from analysis shall be rounded off in accordance with the
rounding off method of Practice E29 to the nearest unit in the last
right-hand place of figures used in expressing the specified limit.
5. Workmanship, Finish and Appearance
5.1 The ingots shall be uniform in quality and shall be
commercially free of slag or other foreign material.
6. Sampling for Chemical Analysis
6.1 Sufficient samples shall be taken by the manufacturer to
ensure conformance to the chemical composition requirement
of the alloy.
6.1.1 Samples may be taken from the molten metal when the
ingot is poured or from the ingots. Samples shall be represen-
tative of the material.
6.2 In case of dispute, the sampling for chemical analysis
shall be according to the requirements of Practice E88.
6.2.1 If the shipment is in less than carload lots and also in
the case of magnesium-zirconium alloys, one ingot section
shall be taken for sampling for each 2200 lb (1000 kg) or
fraction thereof.
7. Methods of Chemical Analysis
7.1 Any suitable method of chemical analysis may be used.
In case of dispute, the analysis shall be made by methods given
in Test Methods E35 or any other standard methods of analysis
approved by ASTM unless some other method is agreed upon
between the purchaser and vendor.
8. Inspection
8.1 If the purchaser desires that inspection be made at the
manufacturer’s works where the material is made, it shall be so
stated in the contract or purchase order.
8.1.1 If the purchaser elects to have the inspection made at
the manufacturer’s works, the manufacturer shall afford the
inspector representing the purchaser all reasonable facilities to
satisfy him that the material is being furnished in accordance
with this specification.
8.1.2 All tests and inspection shall be so conducted as not to
interfere unnecessarily with the operation of the works.
9. Rejection
9.1 Material that does not conform to the requirements of
this specification may be rejected and, if rejected, the seller’s

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 B93/B93M – 09
responsibility shall be limited to replacing the rejected mate- TABLE 3 Color Code
rial. The full weight of the rejected material shall be returned Alloy Color Code
to the manufacturer. AJ52A Black and White
AJ62A Black and Yellow
10. Product Marking AM50A Black
AM60A Green and White
10.1 Identification shall be by stamping with the alloy AM60B White
designation in Table 1 and Table 2. AS21A Blue and Green
AS21B Blue and White
AS41A Red
11. Packaging and Package Marking AS41B Red and White
11.1 Ingots shall be packaged in such a manner as to prevent AZ91B Blue and Yellow
AZ91C Brown
damage in ordinary handling and transportation. The type of AZ91D Yellow
packing and gross weight of individual containers or bundles AZ91E Brown and Yellow
shall be left to the discretion of the supplier unless otherwise
agreed upon. Packaging methods shall be so selected as to
permit maximum utility of equipment in unloading and subse- 11.3 Packages shall be such as to ensure acceptance by
quent handling. Each container or bundle shall contain only common or other carriers for safe transportation at the lowest
one size and alloy when packaged for shipment unless other- rate to the point of delivery.
wise agreed upon. 11.4 For those alloys listed, the various national regulations
11.2 Each package shall be marked with the purchase order concerning the transportation of these alloys will be complied
number, quantity, specification number, alloy, gross or net with in regard to hazardous materials.
weights, and the name of the manufacturer.
11.2.1 Each package shall be color-coded on two opposite 12. Keywords
corners, visible from four sides, with the colors listed in Table 12.1 composition; die casting; high pressure die cast alloy;
3 when stated as a purchase order requirement. magnesium; permanent mold casting; sand casting

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in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

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